Europe 2011 (Copy) - Page Text Content

1: June 17th - July 5, 2011 European adventures of Xenia, Molly, Matt, and Mom

2: Three ladies and six beers... hmmm?! Matt decided to stay sober. | Przemys'l Main Square

3: Przemys'l - Castle Hill

4: Krasiczyn Late-Renaissance castle. June 22

5: Last owners of the castle, Sapieha family, planted trees to commemorate births of new family members: lindens for girls and oaks for boys.

6: Krakow | St. Mary's Basilica -Kosciol Mariacki

7: Xenia's first major meltdown.

8: We made it just in time for the St. John's Fair (Jarmark Swietojan'ski) Celebrated around the day of St John the Baptist, which in turn corresponds with the summer solstice. | There were knights in the shining armor, Tatars, archers and...

10: Krakow-Rynek Glowny Main Square - Old Town Street performers at their best;

11: Once upon a time in a far-away kingdom lived sweet Lady Molly. One day a terrible dragon kidnapped her and kept her in his den. Many attempted to free the princess, but all failed. All but one, a brave young knight Matt came to the rescue. Matt and the dragon hung out for a while(tuns out they were both Arsenal fans), and the dragon learned the terrible news. Molly, it turns out, was an avid fan of Manchester United. The news struck the dragon's heart. He turned into a stone cold statue and didn't bothered anyone since. The End

13: No rest for the weary... work made easier by a sprinkle of a good French Bordeaux. | Meanwhile Xenia... | Cousin Paulina's translation. | ...in less then 10 minutes at the Charles de Gaulle made friends with the locals. | The first road trip in France. On the way to Etrepagny

15: June 27th, while Matt and Molly left for Paris, Mom and Xenia took off to visit Le Mont Saint Michel

16: In year 708 Saint Aubert, bishop of Avranches, had a vision in which the Archangel Michael instructed him to build an oratory on the tidal island nearby. St Aubert disregarded the instructions of the first and second visitations, until St Michael appeared third time driving his finger (or a spear according to some sources) through the bishop's skull. The church dedicated to Holy Archangel Michael was built according to the instructions, and dedicated on October 16 709

17: Avranches Normadie | Xenia chilling out with Jeanne D'Arc | And the first loaf of French baguette.

18: Paris

20: La Belle Parisienne | "Oh, go to Paris... in the midday gloom Of some old quarter take a room That looks off over Paris and its towers From Saint Gervais round to the Emperor's Tomb..." by Alan Seeger

22: Mother - Daughter day trip to Paris | Xenia's second meltdown, at the Sainte Chapelle.

23: Goodbye Paris - -Hello Troyes!

24: Most amazing times spent with Oco and Jean!

25: Troyes Oh! Sweet Troyes! | 3 days - 9 Gothic Churches? Allons-y! | If I have to visit one more church I will die... | A revolving brick in the wall was used as a safe infant drop off site for orphans and unwanted babies 2 centuries ago.

26: C | Champagne tasting in Champagne!

27: "I am Jerry Byma and I approve this message! " | The refined art of choosing just the right wine. It is not a coincidence! | A "Gladiator" moment

29: Goodbye dinner July 1 | Leaving behind exceptional company, delicious French Cuisine, and an excellent wine was not easy. We left Troyes and France with heavy hearts.